Meet February's Artist Discovery: The Wild Reeds

The Wild Reeds. Photo by Pooneh Ghana

Meet The Wild Reeds, the Los Angeles band helmed by three powerful voices and songwriters: Sharon Silva, Mackenzie Howe, and Kinsey Lee. Their strong three-part harmonies, catchy hooks, and thoughtful songwriting have earned them a devoted fan following and support from outlets like NPR Music, Billboard, and more. Bassist Nick Phakpiseth and drummer Nick Jones round out the band, and their new album Cheers is sure to get you hooked on their music.

What was the first album you ever owned on vinyl?

Sharon: Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. I was at a Bright Eyes show in Santa Cruz when I was 15, and I didn’t have a record player yet...but I had to spend all the cash I had at the merch table for obvious reasons.

Kinsey: Pavarotti Records.

What have you been listening to lately?

Sharon: Julia Jacklin, Petal, Jenny O.

Kinsey: Brody Douglas Hunt.

Who or what influences your music?

Mackenzie: I’d say comedy and tragedy. The most bizarre and beautiful aspects of life, and the process of tying them together in a song. I’ve always felt like John Prine was incredible at that. And folks like The Kinks and the Beatles who really utilized absurdity in the best way.

Sharon: Perceived “negative” emotions, Judee Sill, my bandmates.

What’s the best live show you’ve seen?

Nick P: It’s a tough call between this band from Tel Aviv called Monotonix which had a live show consisting of cymbals set on fire, the singer singing on top of the bar at the back of the Echoplex, and the crowd carrying the drum kit and crowd surfing the drummer as he’s playing with a trash can over his body, vs. Charles Bradley’s concert which consisted of the funkiest grooves, the most heartfelt singing, and the most genuine human speaking his truth.

Who is the first artist you remember listening to?

Sharon: Either Foreigner or ABBA.

Mackenzie: Jackson Browne and Bob Marley. Those two were a staple in my house as long as I can remember.